The state’s power generation capacity has been augmented by 500 MW with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav dedicating to people two new units of the state-owned Parichhha thermal power plant near Jhansi on Tuesday.

The Rs 2822 crore units of 250 MW capacity each, will generate 438 crore units of additional power every year, helping the state meet its growing demand for electricity. The work on the two new units had begun in 2005. With their becoming operational, the total capacity of the Parichha plant becomes 1100 MW.

The UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd’s thermal plants, which have an installed capacity of 4000 MW, are already producing nearly 3000 MW power every day. “With the two new units of Parichha, the state can now have its own generation of around 3500 MW in the public sector alone. The 1000 MW Anpara D plant that is expected to be functional by the end of the current financial year will be a great help,” said an official.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM claimed that the government was taking all possible steps to improve the power situation in the state. The inauguration of the Parichha units, he added, was a step in that direction. The chief minister also distributed laptops free to 3618 students in Mahoba and to 7439 students in Hamirpur where he also laid the foundation stones for 48 new development schemes. He said laptops would help students in their higher studies. Unlike the previous regime that spent huge money on construction of statues and stones, his government was implementing its pre-poll promises aimed at benefiting various sections of the society, the CM said.

Declaring grant of development block status to Srinagar in Mahoba, the CM said Panwari and Jaitpur would soon be granted nagar panchayat status.